Decorative mirror unit

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a decorative mirror unit and to a method of fabricating the decorative mirror unit. A decorative mirror unit comprises a mirror and at least one sheet of glass spaced in front of the mirror by spacer means, and a plurality of decorative elements applied to the glass by an adhesive means, characterized in that at least one decorative element has been applied to each surface on opposite sides of the glass by said adhesive means, said decorative elements on opposite sides of the glass aligning to conceal at least partially the adhesive means between at least one of the decorative elements and the glass.

BACKGROUND

a. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a decorative mirror unit and to a method offabricating the decorative mirror unit.

b. Related Art

Compared with plain mirrors, decorative mirror units are relativelyuncommon. One type of decorative mirror unit that has been known formany years employs two parallel sheets of mirrored float glass spacedapart in a frame. The inner, or rear mirror is fully reflecting, and theouter, or front mirror is partially reflecting, so that the viewer seesmultiple superimposed images, for example of himself, fading off toinfinity.

A more recent variant of this type of mirror is disclosed in patentdocument U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,761, in which a third sheet of clear glassis held parallel between the two mirrors. The clear glass has clear,coloured or reflective glass stones adhered to one surface of the glass,with a clear u-v curable adhesive. The glass stones can createinteresting optical effects by splitting up light incident on thestones, both as viewed directly, and in the multiple images seen in therear mirror.

A simpler version of a decorative mirror unit is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,139,828. This unit has one fully reflecting mirror in front ofwhich is spaced in parallel one sheet of clear glass to which cut glassstones have been adhered with a clear u-v curable glue. The stones maybe lit from the sides, again to provide interesting optical effectsowing to scattering and diffraction of light from the stones.

In both cases, the glass stones are provided only on an internal surfaceof the unit so that they are protected from dirt, which would otherwiseinterfere with the optical effects.

An important feature of these prior art decorative units incorporatingglass stone decorative elements is that the u-v adhesive is transparentso that it does not interfere with the optical effects. Glass stones canbe provided with a very flat side to be affixed to the flat float glassso as to mimimise the amount of adhesive to be used. But it can bedifficult to apply the transparent u-v adhesive in such a way that nobubbles are trapped whilst at the same time minimising any excess ofadhesive pressed out around the edges into an unsightly bead around thedecorative glass.

Whilst such decorative mirrors provide interesting optical effects, theyeffectively are limited in the type of decorative elements that may beapplied, i.e. being limited to clear, coloured or reflective glassstones adhered on an inner protected surface of the unit with anoptically clear adhesive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a decorative mirrorunit that addresses such limitations.

Accordingly, the invention provides a decorative mirror unit, comprisinga mirror and at least one sheet of glass spaced in front of the mirrorby spacer means, and a plurality of decorative elements applied to theglass by an adhesive means, characterized in that said sheet of glasshas a pair of opposite plane-parallel surfaces and at least oneoptically non-transparent decorative element has been applied to eachsurface on opposite sides of the glass by said adhesive means, saiddecorative elements on opposite sides of the glass aligning to concealat least partially the adhesive means between at least one of thedecorative elements and the glass, wherein said plane-parallel surfacesextend away from a pair of said aligned optically non-transparentdecorative elements on opposite sides of the glass so that a viewer cansee one of said pair of decorative elements directly, and at the sametime view through the plane-parallel surfaces a virtual image in themirror of the other of said pair of decorative elements.

The glass will normally be a single unbroken sheet of glass, usuallyclear float glass. The decorative elements may be any type of decorativeelement that can be applied to glass. One type of decorative element isa strip of lead-alloy. These strips may have for convenience aself-adhesive backing. Areas between the strips, or between the stripsand the edges of the window can be coloured by affixing a convenientlyself-adhesive coloured plastic film, which can be transparent ortranslucent. The coloured film may be affixed first, so that the stripsmay be applied to cover the edges of the film, or the coloured film maybe affixed on the opposite side to the strips, which then act as atemplate to guide placement of the film. Other type of decorativeelements may also be applied, such as moulded, beveled or cut glassfixed in place, for example, by u-v curable glue. All such suitableitems that may be affixed to a sheet of glass are referred to herein as“decorative elements”.

The adhesive means may be a bond between the decorative element and theglass, for example when the decorative element is a paint or resinapplied to the glass. In this case the decorative elements conceal atleast partially an adhesive interface between the decorative element andthe glass. This is particularly effective when the resin is applied as abead to the glass, the bead having a convex outer surface and a flatadhesive interface. The flat adhesive interface can then be concealed byanother similar bead applied to the opposite surface of the glass.

Alternatively, the adhesive means may comprise an adhesive layer betweenat least one of the decorative elements and the glass, said decorativeelements on opposite sides of the glass aligning to conceal at leastpartially said adhesive layer.

The invention therefore provides a wide latitude in the selection ofadhesive means, and in general removes the requirement for there to bean optically clear or invisible adhesive interface. The adhesive meansmay therefore be optically imperfect, for example opaque, translucent,or contain visible defects, such as striations, bubbles or otherimperfections in the adhesive interface with the glass. Such anoptically imperfect adhesive means is best concealed when the decorativeelements are optically non-transparent, i.e. opaque or at leasttranslucent to some degree.

Adhesive means as viewed directly will, in general, be more noticeablethan adhesive means as viewed in a reflected image, because the lightwill have crossed through less thickness of glass. Preferably though,the decorative elements on opposite sides of the glass align to concealat least partially the adhesive means both as viewed directly and in theimage reflected from the mirror.

There may, of course, be a slight view of adhesive means affordedthrough the thickness of the glass, if the decorative elements are notviewed straight on, but at a substantial angle. However, typical sheetglass is relatively thin, for example about 4 to 6 mm thick, and typicaldecorative elements are in most cases wider than this thickness. Thedecorative elements on opposite sides of the glass therefore in mostcases will prevent a direct view of most of the adhesive means. Inaddition, when the decorative elements are non-transparent, i.e.translucent or opaque, the decorative elements will in normal lightingconditions cast a shadow between the oppositely aligned decorativeelements, and this will tend to obscure or de-emphasize any slight viewof the adhesive means that could be visible when the decorative unit isviewed at a substantial angle.

The minimum angle at which decorative elements may be viewed in thereflected image will in general be less shallow than what may be vieweddirectly. Nevertheless, it is preferable if decorative elements onopposite sides of the glass align to conceal at least partially theadhesive means in the image reflected from the mirror.

The mirror may be a conventional highly reflecting mirror formed fromfloat glass, but could be any other reflecting surface in which an imagemay be seen, such as mirrored smoke coloured glass, a two way or partialmirror, or a polished metal mirror. Normally, both the mirror and thesheet of glass will be flat and parallel with each other. However, oneor both of the mirror and the glass could be curved, and it is notnecessary for the mirror and glass sheet to be exactly parallel.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, the mirror is concave orconvex so as to respectively magnify or de-magnify said at least onedecorative element spaced in front of the mirror. In particular, thede-magnifying effect can be quite striking, as this enhances the senseof depth between the decorative elements of the sheet of glass, and theimage of the decorative elements visible in the mirror.

The mirror unit may be any type of portable or fixed unit, such asframed mirror suitable for mounting or hanging on a wall, a mirror in aframe adapted to be permanently set into an item of furniture such as atable top. In one application, the decorative mirror unit according tothe invention may be used as part of a structure, for example a buildingor a conservatory, having one or more window or door apertures. At leastone decorative mirror unit may then be provided within such an aperture,for example being set into a wall, door, ceiling panel or window frame.

Separating the mirror from the decorated glass surface provides a numberof significant advantages. Firstly, the decoration is preferably appliedto a glass surface before the glass and mirror are brought together inspaced apart relationship. This permits the use of convenient techniquesin applying the decorative elements, using a template behind the glassto guide the placement of the decorative elements on the surface of theglass. Secondly, problems are encountered if the decorated glass isplaced directly against the mirror, in an attempt to minimize oreliminate any gap between the glass sheet and the mirror. One of theseproblems is that, in practical terms, it is very difficult to get anoptically satisfactory interface between a sheet of glass and anothervery smooth surface such as a glass or metal mirror surface. Unlessindex matching gel is applied between the surfaces, there may be somesmall layer of trapped air, for example due to dust or otherimperfections, of the order of 1 μm thick, which can cause interferenceeffects with visible fringes. This would ruin the appearance of themirror. Another of these problems is that condensation of atmosphericmoisture is bound to occur in any small gap between these smoothsurfaces, which could permanently affect the transmission of lightacross the gap.

In most cases, it is preferred if the gap is at least 0.5 mm. Thisseparation is sufficient so that for a mirror of average dimensions of 1m², the glass and mirror surfaces will remain separated, even ifmoderate pressure is applied externally to the unit.

Larger units may require greater separations, but for most mirrors, itis preferred if the separation is no more than about 25 mm. At thisseparation, and taking into account any thickness of glass substrate forthe mirror itself, the virtual image of the decoration produced by themirror will be at least 50 mm behind that of the real image of thedecorated glass sheet. Unless the mirror unit is particularly large, agreater separation of the real and virtual images may result in loss ofusable mirror area, or a confusing and unpleasing visual effect,particularly when it is desired to see one's image in the mirror.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spacer means extendsfully around the periphery of the sheet of glass so that the sheet ofglass and mirror form a sealed unit. The spacer means then seals theunit. This has the advantage that conventional, low cost sealing stripsmay be used, such as those employed in the double glazing industry andsold by Tremco Limited under the registered trade mark Swiggle Strip.These strips permit the mirror and one or more glass sheets to be bondedinto a fixed, spaced apart relationship, whilst at the same timeincorporating a desiccant to prevent condensation from developing in thegap between the mirror and the glass sheet, or between the glass sheets.

In another embodiment of the invention, there are two sheets of glass towhich decorative elements have been applied, one sheet of glass beingspaced by spacer means between the other sheet of glass and the mirror.In this way, it is possible to build up quite complicated patterns,without the need to apply multiple layers of decoration to one sheet ofglass. The inner layer of glass sheet may also be provided with moredelicate decorative elements, since the outer glass sheet would protectthese.

The decorative mirror unit may also be adapted to present apseudo-three-dimensional image of a recognizable object, for example abuilding, a person's portrait, an item of furniture, etc. This may beachieved if at least one decorative element applied on one surface ofthe sheet of glass presenting an image of a front surface of therecognizable object, and said at least one decorative element applied tothe opposite surface of the sheet of glass presents an image of a rearsurface of the same recognizable object, so that both the front and rearsurfaces of the recognizable object may be viewed simultaneously in thedecorative mirror unit.

One way in which the decorative elements may be applied is with the useof a template patterned with guidelines. The template cab be positionedunder a horizontal sheet of clear glass, and left in place during theapplication of one or more decorative elements. This method ofmanufacture is efficient and reliable, but only works if the sheet ofglass is transparent or translucent to the extent that the pattern onthe template can be discerned. It would therefore not possible to usethis method of fabrication with the sheet of mirrored glass to applydecorative elements directly onto the glass, because the templatepattern could not be seen.

Also according to the invention, there is provided a method offabricating a decorative mirror unit from a mirror, at least one sheetof glass having a pair of opposite plane-parallel sides, a spacer meansand a plurality of decorative elements including at least one pair oroptically non-transparent decorative elements, characterized in that themethod comprises the steps of:

a) aligning the or each sheet of glass with respect to a templatepattern visible through the glass;

b) applying with adhesive means at least one optically non-transparentdecorative element to a first surface of the glass according to thetemplate pattern;

c) applying with adhesive means at least one optically non-transparentdecorative element to a second surface of the glass opposite to thefirst surface so that decorative elements on opposite sides of the glassalign to conceal at least partially the adhesive means between at leastone of the decorative elements and the glass; and

d) using the spacer means to set a spacing between the or each sheet ofglass and the mirror so that one of said pair of decorative elements maybe viewed directly and at the same time the other of said pair ofdecorative elements may be viewed through the plane-parallel surfaces ofthe glass as a virtual image in the mirror.

When decorative elements are being applied to the said opposite surfaceof the sheet of glass, the decoration of the first side of the glasssheet may conveniently be used as a template. In this way, decorativeelements have applied to the said opposite surface of the glass may bealigned with those on the first side to conceal at least partially theadhesive means.

The spacer means may be used not just to set the spacing, but also toseal the unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a decorative mirror unit in accordancewith a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross section through line II—II of the decorative mirrorunit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a decorative mirror unit in accordancewith a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross section through line V—V of the decorative mirror unitof FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross section through a decorative mirror unit in accordancewith a third embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a structure incorporating a number ofdecorative mirror units in place of conventional exterior glass panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a decorative mirror unit 1. The unit has aconventional mirror 2, made from 4 mm thick clear float glass 4 ontowhich an aluminium reflector layer, with protective backing, 6 has beendeposited. The mirror faces towards a parallel front sheet of 4 mm thickclear float glass 8. The mirror 2 and the front glass sheet 8 arerectangular in shape, about 300 mm wide by about 400 mm tall.

A conventional Swiggle Strip (Registered Trade Mark) spacer 10 extendsaround the full rectangular periphery of the unit, holding and sealingthe mirror 2 and front glass 8 together in a parallel spaced apartrelationship. The spacer provides a 10 mm separation. The volume 12between the mirror 2 and front glass 8 may optionally be filled withargon gas prior to sealing together the mirror 2 and front glass 8, inorder to provide enhanced thermal insulation properties, for example ifthe unit 1 is to be used in place of an external window. The spacer 10includes a metallic rigid element 14 and a desiccant (not shown) to helpprevent any condensation within the unit 1.

Self adhesive tape 15 is wrapped around the periphery of the unit 1 toprovide an additional layer of protection to the spacer 10. In use, thistape layer 15 would be hidden from view by a frame or other mount aroundthe unit 1.

The front glass 8 has a number of decorative elements applied to boththe outside 16 and inside 18 surfaces of the glass 8. Some of theelements are self-adhesive strips of metal 20-24, 120-124, each 5 mmwide and about 1 mm thick, aligned on directly opposite areas of theglass 8. The total thickness of the unit 1, including decorative strips,is therefore about 19 mm. This is compact enough so that the unit may beused in many situations, such as a frame similar to a conventionalmirror frame, or a conventional window frame.

In the example illustrated, the strips divide the glass surfaces 16,18into rectangular areas. Other elements are self-adhesive translucentcoloured plastic films 30,32 adhered to the outer glass surface 16.Optionally, similar coloured plastic films 130,132 may be adhered to theinner glass surface 18, directly opposite the outer plastic films 30,32.

Each decorative element is provided with adhesive means by which thedecorative elements are applied to the sheet of glass 8. As can be seenbest in FIG. 3, the coloured plastic films 30,130 each have an adhesivemeans in the form of a tacky clear or translucent coating 31,131.Although not illustrated, the coating 31,131 before application to theglass is covered by a peel-off layer that may be removed immediatelybefore applying the film to the glass surface 16,18.

The metal strips 20,120 also have an adhesive means 25,125 in the formof an opaque, white, foam-like, and highly sticky backing that coversnearly all of the back surface of the strips, stopping short of theexposed long edges of each strip. It should be noted that the opaquefoam backing would be visually distracting from the decorative patternif it were plainly visible.

Although not illustrated, the backing 25,125 before application to theglass is covered by a peel-off strip that may be removed immediatelybefore applying the strip to the glass surface 16,18, in such a way tooverlap edges of the decorative film 30,130.

The strip backing 25,125 provides a higher adhesion per unit area thanthe film coating 31,131, and therefore helps to anchor the areas ofcoloured plastic film 30,130 in place.

When the front of the mirror unit 1 is viewed other thanperpendicularly, the mirror provides a virtual image of the decorativeelements 20-24, 120-124, 30,32, as can be seen in FIG. 1. This providesa pleasing sense of depth.

Because the inner metal strips 120-124 are juxtaposed between the outermetal strips 20-24 and the mirror, separated only by the thickness ofthe front glass 8, the outer metal strips 20-24 effectively block mostof the view of the adhesive backing holding the inner strips 120-124 tothe glass inner surface 18.

The inner strips 120-124 also effectively block most of the view of theadhesive backing holding the outer strips 20-24 to the glass outersurface 16 in the image visible in the mirror 2.

Similarly because the coloured films 30,130 are applied opposite to eachother, these films 30,130 effectively blocks a view, either direct orreflected, of the adhesive coating of the other coloured film 30,130.

Of course, unless the films 30,130 are opaque, it may be possible to seedefects in the adhesive layer, particularly in the adhesive layer 31 ofthe outermost area of coloured film 30. But because the coloured films30,130 are not totally clear, there is still some improvement in thevisual appearance of the films, either viewed directly, or in the imagereflected in the mirror 2.

If, however, the coloured film adhesive layer has an acceptableappearance, being free for example of visible defects such asstriations, occlusions or bubbles, then it may not be necessary to havefilms applied to opposite areas of glass, and the film may then beapplied either on just the inner or outer surfaces 16,18. In cases whereit is preferred to protect the film from the environment or fromscratching, the decorative film may be applied on just the inner glasssurface 18, inside the sealed unit.

The unit is manufactured as follows. First, the mirror 2 and the sheetof glass 8 are cut from sheet stock to the same size, and cleaned. Thena paper template (not shown) having a pattern corresponding to thedesired decoration is placed underneath the glass sheet 8, and thedecorative elements 20-24, 30,32 are applied to the free surface 16 ofthe glass 8. Decorative elements 120-124 are then applied to the othersurface 18 of the sheet of glass, directly opposite in alignment withthe decorative elements on the opposite side of the glass.

The mirror 2 and the glass sheet 8 may then be bonded together, usingthe spacer strip 10, and with an optional fill of argon gas in thevolume 12 inside the unit 1. An adhesive tape 15 is then wrapped aroundthe peripheral sides and edges of the unit, to provide a degree ofprotection for the spacer 10, and also to cover over sharp exposed edgesand corners of the glass 8 and mirror 2.

Finally, the unit 1 may be mounted in a frame (not shown) suitable forthe use to which the mirror will be put, for example as a decorativemirror fixed in a wall, or hanging freely from a wall.

A second embodiment of a decorative unit 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 4and 5. The unit 100 comprises all the components of the first embodiment1 described above, for which the same reference numerals are used in thedrawings. The second embodiment 100 has the addition of a second sheetof glass 28 spaced in front of the sheet of glass 8, by means of spacerelement 210,214, thus enclosing a volume 212 between the inner 8 andouter 28 sheets of glass. Two decorative strip elements 220,221 areapplied on the outer surface 216 of the outer glass sheet 28, and twosimilar strips 320,321 are applied directly opposite the outer strips220,221 in a similar manner to that described above. Tape 215 is thenwrapped around the four edges of the decorative unit 100.

The use of the two sheets of glass 8,28 provides a greater sense ofdepth, particularly as the viewer will see a total of four levels ofdepth in the pattern, including the two sets of reflected images.

A third embodiment 200 is illustrated in FIG. 6. Here the decorativeunit has one circular sheet of glass 208 to which decorative elements201,203 have been applied on directly opposite areas of the glass 208. Aperipheral circular Swiggle Strip (trade mark) spacer element 310,314holds the glass 208 in a fixed spaced apart relationship with a circularmirror, which may be a convex mirror 202. In an alternative variant, themirror may be a concave mirror 302, drawn in FIG. 6 in phantom. In eachcase, the mirror 202,302 is formed from 4 mm thick glass 204,304 with aconventional aluminium reflector with an outer protective layer 206,306.The assembly is then held together with tape 115 wrapped around thecircular periphery of the decorative unit 200.

The effect of the convex and concave mirrors 202,203 is respectively todemagnify or magnify the image of the decorative elements 201,203 asviewed in the mirror.

The decorative mirror unit may be made in a wide range of shapes orsizes, and have multiple decorated sheets of glass spaced from themirror, depending on the use for which the mirror is intended. Thespacing of the sheet or sheets from the mirror may be chosen to achievethe desired effect of depth. A curved mirror may be used to provideinteresting optical effects. The seal between the glass and mirror helpsto keep the mirror surface inside the unit clean and free fromcondensation, and also protects more delicate decorative elements insidethe mirror from damage or wear. The use of decorative elements appliedon directly opposite portions of the glass makes it easier to hide anyoptical imperfections or distractions stemming from the adhesive layers.The continuous sheets of glass held together by the spacer have astrength far in excess of traditionally leaded glass, and together arealso more robust and secure than a single sheet of comparable mirrorglass.

FIG. 7 shows how a decorative unit according to the invention may formpart of a structure, for example a house, office, or shop, being held ina window or door aperture, either internally or externally. In theparticular example illustrated, the structure is a conservatory 70,which may be an extension to a house 72. Such conservatories commonlyhave external wall surfaces such as a door 75, walls 76-79 and a ceiling80-84 that are made predominantly from double glazed glass panels heldtogether within apertures defined by a framework 85. Decorative unitsaccording to the invention may be used economically as a directreplacement to such glass panels. In the illustrated example, panels77,79,82 and 84 have been replaced with such decorative units, with thedecorative unit being arranged to face inside. In order to provideenvironmental protection from the elements it will in general benecessary to provide a protective coating on the side of the decorativepanels facing outside.

This provides a number of significant benefits. First, the decorativeunit may be located so as to block an otherwise unappealing view.Second, the decorative unit will have superior insulating properties onaccount of the radiant heat reflected back into the structure from themirror reflector layer. Third, the decorative unit may provide colourand decoration in a predominantly glass structure which is otherwise noteasy to decorate. Fourth, because the mirror may be completely opaque,the decorative unit may be positioned so as to limit the amount ofsunlight that would enter the structure in the summer months, therebykeeping the structure cooler in the summer. Fifth, the use of decorativereflective panels in a relatively small structure as a conservatory, canprovide an impression of increased space.

It is to be recognized that various alterations, modifications, and/oradditions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements ofparts described above without departing from the spirit or ambit of thepresent invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A decorative mirror unit, comprising a mirror andat least one sheet of glass spaced in front of the mirror by spacermeans, and a plurality of decorative elements applied to the glass by anadhesive means, characterized in that said sheet of glass has a pair ofopposite plane-parallel surfaces and at least one opticallynon-transparent decorative element has been applied to each surface onopposite sides of the glass by said adhesive means, said decorativeelements on opposite sides of the glass aligning to conceal at leastpartially the adhesive means between at least one of the decorativeelements and the glass, wherein said plane-parallel surfaces extend awayfrom a pair of said aligned optically non-transparent decorativeelements on opposite sides of the glass so that a viewer can see one ofsaid pair of decorative elements directly, and at the same time viewthrough the plane-parallel surfaces a virtual image in the mirror of theother of said pair of decorative elements.
 2. A decorative mirror unitas claimed in claim 1, in which the adhesive means comprises an adhesiveinterface between at least one of the decorative elements and the glass,said decorative elements on opposite sides of the glass aligning toconceal at least partially said adhesive interface.
 3. A decorativemirror unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the adhesive means comprisesan adhesive layer between at least one of the decorative elements andthe glass, said decorative elements on opposite sides of the glassaligning to conceal at least partially said adhesive layer.
 4. Adecorative mirror unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the decorativeelements on opposite sides of the glass align to conceal at leastpartially the adhesive means both as viewed directly and in the imagereflected from the mirror.
 5. A decorative mirror unit as claimed inclaim 1, in which the spacer means extends fully around the periphery ofthe sheet of glass so that the sheet of glass and mirror form a sealedunit.
 6. A decorative mirror unit as claimed in claim 1, in which thereare two sheets of glass to which decorative elements have been applied,one sheet of glass being spaced by spacer means between the other sheetof glass and the mirror.
 7. A decorative mirror unit as claimed in claim1, in which the mirror is concave or convex so as to respectivelymagnify or de-magnify said at least one decorative element applied onone surface of the sheet of glass spaced in front of the mirror.
 8. Adecorative mirror unit as claimed in claim 1, in which said at least onedecorative element applied on one surface of the sheet of glass presentsan image of a front surface of a recognizable object, and said at leastone decorative element applied to the opposite surface of the sheet ofglass presents an image of a rear surface of the same recognizableobject, so that both the front and rear surfaces of the recognizableobject may be viewed simultaneously in the decorative mirror unit.
 9. Astructure comprising one or more window or door apertures, in whichthere is at least one decorative mirror unit within an aperture, saiddecorative mirror unit comprising a mirror and at least one sheet ofglass spaced in front of the mirror by spacer means, and a plurality ofdecorative elements applied to the glass by an adhesive means,characterized in that said sheet of glass has a pair of oppositeplane-parallel surfaces and at least one optically non-transparentdecorative element has been applied to each surface on opposite sides ofthe glass by said adhesive means, said decorative elements on oppositesides of the glass aligning to conceal at least partially the adhesivemeans between at least one of the decorative elements and the glass,wherein said plane-parallel surfaces extend away from a pair of saidaligned optically non-transparent decorative elements on opposite sidesof the glass so that a viewer can see one of said pair of decorativeelements directly, and at the same time view through the plane-parallelsurfaces a virtual image in the mirror of the other of said pair ofdecorative elements.
 10. A structure as claimed in claim 9, in which theaperture is in an external surface of the structure, the decorative unitbeing arranged to face inside and having on the side facing outside aprotective coating on the rear surface of the mirror to provideprotection for the mirror from the elements.
 11. A method of fabricatinga decorative mirror unit from a mirror, at least one sheet of glasshaving a pair of opposite plane-parallel sides, a spacer means and aplurality of decorative elements including at least one pair ofoptically non-transparent decorative elements, characterized in that themethod comprises the steps of: a) aligning the or each sheet of glasswith respect to a template pattern visible through the glass; b)applying with adhesive means at least one optically non-transparentdecorative element to a first surface of the glass according to thetemplate pattern; c) applying with adhesive means at least one opticallynon-transparent decorative element to a second surface of the glassopposite to the first surface so that decorative elements on oppositesides of the glass align to conceal at least partially the adhesivemeans between at least one of the decorative elements and the glass,said plane-parallel surfaces extending away from said aligned pair ofdecorative elements; and d) using the spacer means to set a spacingbetween the or each sheet of glass and the mirror so that one of saidpair of decorative elements may be viewed directly and at the same timethe other of said pair of decorative elements may be viewed through theplane-parallel surfaces of the glass as a virtual image in the mirror.12. A method of fabricating a decorative mirror unit, as claimed inclaim 11, in which step d) includes the step of: e) using the spacermeans to seal the unit.
 13. A method of fabricating a decorative mirrorunit, as claimed in claim 11, in which steps b) and c) comprise the stepof: f) applying decorative elements to the opposite surfaces of theglass in such a way as to conceal at least partially the adhesive meansboth as viewed directly and in the image reflected from the mirror. 14.A method of fabricating a decorative mirror unit, as claimed in claim11, in which there are two sheets of glass, comprising the step of: g)using spacer means to space one sheet of glass between the other sheetof glass and the mirror.